North Korea and Russia expressed their intention to deepen their close relationship in earnest through the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia during a foreign minister meeting.
According to the Russian state-run TASS and Sputnik news agencies, Choi Son-hui, North Korea's Foreign Minister, and Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, held their second strategic dialogue on the 12th in Wonsan, Kangwon Province, North Korea.
Minister Lavrov stated during his opening remarks at the meeting that "North Korea's heroic soldiers contributed to liberating the Kursk region with blood and lives alongside the Russian military." He referred to the fact that Minister Choi described the strategic agreement between the two countries as "the foundation of an invincible combat brotherhood," saying, "This kind of relationship has been directly validated in the Kursk region."
Additionally, Minister Lavrov promised to create conditions, including flights, to increase the influx of tourists to the Wonsan resort where the meeting was held. He noted, "I am confident that more Russian tourists will visit this place," adding, "Russia will contribute in all possible ways, including flight operations."
Minister Choi also reiterated his commitment to strengthening cooperation with Russia during the meeting. He conveyed that he "unconditionally and consistently supports Russia's position to uphold international justice against the imperialists' hegemonic schemes and its policy for the preservation of territorial sovereignty," stating that support for Russia is North Korea's strategic choice and will.
In particular, Minister Choi referred to the deployment of North Korean troops to Kursk as "a clear demonstration of the highest level of cooperation between the two countries," and called it "a historic event that opened a new era of cooperation between the two countries." He reaffirmed that North Korea is ready to faithfully implement the treaty with Russia.
Minister Choi stated that his visit to Wonsan by Minister Lavrov reflects the aspirations of the Russian government and people to deepen strategic situational awareness in a situation where the relationship between the two countries has been elevated to an unbreakable level of cooperation, and that it shows a commitment to expand and develop traditional friendly cooperative relations in all fields.
Earlier, in June of last year, Russia established a "comprehensive strategic partnership treaty" with North Korea during President Vladimir Putin's visit to Pyongyang. The treaty includes provisions for mutual support using all means if one of the two countries finds itself in a state of war.
Meanwhile, Minister Lavrov is scheduled to remain in North Korea until the 13th and continue the second strategic dialogue with Choi Son-hui, North Korea's Foreign Minister.